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Wednesday, 27 June 2018

Buhari’s Views On Restructuring: Afenifere React, Says He Must Choose Between Miyetti Allah Or Nigeria

President Mohammadu Buhari’s Views on restructuring has come under heavy criticism yesterday after submitting that the “whole idea was laced with personal interest hence not catching his thoughts”

One of Nigeria’s leading socio-political Yoruba group Afenifere and leading supporters on calls for restructuring the country says president Buhari has only chosen to be on the other side of the divide other than seeing the objectives that restructuring tends to achieve. Urging him to read the report of the 2014 National Conference which it said addressed virtually all areas of concern in ensuring sustainable governance in the country

The president while receiving traditional rulers and the leadership of Urhobo progress union (UPU) and members of the delta state All Progressive Congress (APC) at the presidential villa on Monday said “the whole idea of restructuring was laced with personal interest and that it did not align with constitutional provisions

Reacting to the president’s position, the Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, in a statement issued after its general meeting held at the residence of its leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, Ondo State, yesterday said the calls for restructuring were selfless and they were borne out of the need to retrieve the country from the brink of collapse.

“At a time when the country is on the verge of collapse as a result of structural defects, we noted that the president, while receiving Urhobo leaders on Monday still dismissed the popular call for restructuring of the country when he said ‘Every group asking for restructuring has got their own agenda and I hope it can be accommodated by the constitution.’

“If the president talks about people with personal agenda on restructuring, it can only be those who inserted it in their manifestos to win elections and turned around to say they are getting different definitions of restructuring after they came to power.

“We insist that for the country to move forward and develop, it has to be restructured into a proper federation,” he said.

The group also condemns Buhari's initial remark in the aftermath of the killings in plateau state asking him to choose between the presidency and being a godfather to miyatti Allah. Part of which was read in its communiqué at the end of its general assembly held in Akure.

Miyetti Allah has been accused of being behind the attacks. It has also issued a statement saying the killings were in retaliation over rustled cattle.

“It is very infuriating that the president’s response and that of Miyetti Allah appeared to have been authored from the same laptop,” said Afenifere, stressing: “Their reactions did not depict any sense of sympathy or regret.”

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari visited Jos, the Plateau State capital, yesterday, where he directed security chiefs in the country to remain vigilant and ensure the protection of life and property.

At an interactive session with stakeholders in the aftermath of Sunday’s killings of more than a hundred people, he urged traditional and community leaders to complement government’s efforts by persuading their constituencies to be tolerant.

He said: “I will continue to pressurise members of the law enforcement agencies directly under me by the constitution, as the Commander-in-Chief. About eight days ago, we had a five-hour security meeting of the service chiefs and the inspector-general of police.

“What happened here in Jos is very bad. The question of leadership, from your household to whatever you are, is justice.

The bottom line is justice. That is why wherever I go, I always appeal to the leadership of the communities and the law enforcement agencies to always have control of their constituencies.”

Buhari condoled with the affected families and the government and people of the state.